Bicholim: The farmers from Bicholim Sattari and Bardez taluka have united against the alleged illegal mining activities and have regretted that the authorities have turned a blind eye to their losses.
Addressing a press conference, a farmer from Pissurlem, Hanuman Parab, said after their pleas fell on deaf ears, they approached the High court against the alleged illegal mining activities.
Federation of Rainbow Warriors has also helped them in filing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL). As per the farmers, after the PIL, three inspections were held but they say the mining department isn’t ready to accept that there was any illegal excavation carried out.
They also pointed to problems with the ore transportation.
““The Supreme Court had told them to transport the existing ore but they have done fresh excavation, We will now chalk out a plan of action and will bring about awareness among the villagers about the (alleged) illegalities,” Parab added.
Mayem farmer Sakharam Pednekar came down heavily on the mining for their transportation through Mayem village.
“We have constantly approached the authorities including the deputy collector with our grievances but they did not pay any heed to our demands” Pednekar said, while adding, “Our fields are filled with sludge and some of the water bodies are completely destroyed. We demand that all these should be restored,” he added.
“When we contacted some of the farmers’ associations, we realized that most of them had the same issues. So we came together and filed a petition, as the government is not doing their duty and so we were forced to approach the court,” Pednekar added.
